The real stories from inside the F1 paddock

Forty years of F1 at Hockenheim

On Thursday evening at Hockenheim there was a small gathering in the circuit museum to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Formula 1 at the track. The first race took place in August 1970 after the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association refused to race at the Nurburgring because the organizers had failed to do safety work which had been requested. The race was a fight between Lotus’s Jochen Rindt and Ferrari’s Jacky Ickx. The pair changed places many times and it was not until the last few laps that Rindt was able to get an advantage and win by just 0.7 secs. It was Rindt’s fourth consecutive victory. The organisers used the event to launch a video about Rindt’s last summer, which came to an abrupt end in September in Monza. The event drew a number of Rindt’s friends and colleagues, notably Bernie Ecclestone (below) and Herbie Blash. The film, in German, will be shown later this summer on the TV channel Sat 3.

There were a handful of modern F1 drivers present, notably Bruno Senna (below), who took the opportunity to brush up on his racing history. He is seen here looking at Alberto Ascari’s Ferrari 500, which the Italian used to win two World Championships in 1952 and 1953.

There was also former F1 driver Danny Sullivan (below), who is one of the FIA stewards this weekend.

My colleague David Tremayne recently finished a book on the life of Jochen Rindt, which will be published in September. The book, called “Jochen Rindt, Uncrowned King”, is being published by Haynes.

The race was a fight between Lotus’s Jochen Rindt and Ferrari’s Jacky Ickx. The pair changed places many times and it was not until the last few laps that Rindt was able to get an advantage and win by just 0.7 secs.

I feel sorry for the people who watched that race. Of course maybe they didn’t know that overtaking is supposed to be near impossible and that too much overtaking could be boring. They probably enjoyed it because they didn’t know any better. Glad we don’t have races like that any more.

I find myself in a perpetual state of jealousy of your work Joe. To be around these legendary figures of motorsport on such a regular basis is the dream of many who can only get close through the work of yourself and a few others. I imagine it must get somewhat tiring for people like yourself on the inside but still…most racing fans will never get the chance to see those people, or even visit the tracks and museums scattered around the world holding those magnificent pieces of art laymen call race cars. Thanks again for your dedication and the inside peek at these exclusive events. Well done.

“My colleague David Tremayne recently finished a book on the life of Jochen Rindt, which will be published in September. The book, called “Jochen Rindt, Uncrowned King”, is being published by Haynes.”

WOW! This is wonderful news: I’m sure you’ll give us a good preview and review. Would “Tremmers” oblige with permission to publish a sample chapter on your excellent blog Joe?

It was Rindt’s win at Monaco in 1970 that gave many of us the F1 itch, and were still infected!

A subject well overdue for a decent book, Preuller was too close to do a good job. Have you read it yet Joe? Hope he does a Haynes perfect binding edition so newspaper delivery boys can roll it up and stuff it into their back pockets to read on the way to school.

Danny Sullivan is one of the great motor racing stars thanks to his Indy exploits along with his F1 experience. Indy racing is an important element of motor sports. It’s therefore sad to see it a mere Dallara-Honda spec series now.

But things are changing with the new-for-2011 chassis – a Dallara tub or safety cell on which other constructors can add wings, sidepod covers, engine cover and other aerodynamic tweaks. It’s a great way to add variety and keep costs down. They are welcoming all major engineering firms to come forward. Multiple engine manufacturers could also help restore Indy Racing to its glory days.

But I do wonder whether the likes of Lola and Panoz would be interested in merely bolting on aerodynamic body kit on essentially a full car made by Dallara which the officials call an “Indy Safety Cell”.